Rescue team responds to injured manatee

Posted on August 12, 2020

By CAITLYN BURCHETT / Staff Writer

An injured mother manatee and her calf were rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue (UFMAR) after Steinhatchee locals reported she was potentially injured Thursday.

Breathing at half capacity, the female manatee beached herself on the grassy banks of the Steinhatchee River after rescuers believe she was apparently struck by a boat while trying to protect her calf and evade aggressive male manatees.

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